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School Of Communication And Journalism

Communication

Why Study Communication?

Communication shapes how we see the world, what we value in one another, and how we work together. It’s how we build and reinforce culture and plan for the future. With a BA in Communication, you’ll gain knowledge and skills that transfer easily to personal, professional and public settings. You’ll learn to use social science research to design compelling communication while improving your own communication skills and abilities. You’ll understand how people use nonverbal and verbal communication to relate and engage with each other, and you’ll become an expert communicator yourself. All of this happens in small classes and with individual attention from your instructors. Your skills will support you in any career you choose: content creation, advertising, business, law, policy, and many more.

AREAS OF STUDY:

Intercultural Communication
Interpersonal Communication
Organizational and Strategic Communication

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Communication

Communication is how we understand the world around us and interact with each other. Rooted in social science theory and research, communication is vital to our society and our world.

How communication works - or doesn’t - can be studied, evaluated and assessed. Knowing how individuals will react and interact with information can improve how people engage with each other. More broadly, communication can combat misinformation, disinformation and propaganda, as well as systemic inequity and discrimination. As a communication major, you’ll learn to analyze and synthesize information and how it’s presented.

Along the way, you’ll gain knowledge and skills employers everywhere want: communication and critical thinking. When you graduate, you’ll be prepared to pursue graduate studies or a career in business, law, policy, corporate communications, marketing, or any number of other fields.

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Mass Communication

Mass Communication explores how messages are created and distributed across media and the impact of those messages. It also examines how messages work and why through social science research.

Knowing how different groups and communities will react and interact with information can help combat misinformation, disinformation and propaganda, as well as systemic inequity and discrimination.

As a mass communication major, you will learn what makes messages work across different forms of media (including social media, advertising, websites and traditional outlets like newspapers and television). You’ll try your hand at creating messages. You’ll conduct research with expert faculty about why messages work and how they can be improved.

You’ll be prepared for a career in marketing, public or government relations, social media or digital content creation, writing or editing, among many others.

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Journalism

A degree in journalism prepares you to create multimedia content for traditional and new media outlets: television and online news, radio, newspapers and magazines.

You will learn how to track down sources, conduct interviews, and create accurate, ethical reporting alongside award-winning journalists and media professionals. The stories our student journalists tell often win national awards, thanks in part to the incredible hands-on learning opportunities you’ll have in our production studio, newsroom, and the one-on-one attention you’ll receive from your instructors. The journalism program is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, a recognition given to only the best journalism programs in the country.

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SAMPLE COURSES:

Communication for Social Change and Public Advocacy
Social Media Analytics
Political Communication
Nonverbal Communication

ADMISSION INFO:

As a non-restricted major, there are no additional admission requirements for this program. Please review the general admission criteria related to how you are applying.

After Graduation

Your college decision isn't really about the next four years. We get it. It’s about what doors are opened by your degree and whether those opportunities are what you had envisioned for yourself. Nearly 95% of SBU grads are employed or go to professional or graduate school. Here's a snapshot of what life after graduation looks like for some of them. Employers in all professional fields list good communication as the most important skill someone can have.